"We are working for National Sports Week 2024. Should there be changes, that’s an issue for a later time. The sooner we are ready, the better," the minister said in Banda Aceh on Saturday.
He explained that so far, no problems have been faced in the preparations for the 2024 PON in Aceh or North Sumatra province.
The two provinces have continued to prepare everything for the event—starting from the construction of venues, arranging accommodation, and securing competition equipment, to preparing human resources.
"I don't think there's a problem. I very much welcome the enthusiasm of the Aceh government and people, North Sumatra government and people for the readiness for this preparation which is great, therefore I appreciate and respond well to it," he said.
He added that the central government is also committed to fulfilling all the needs, which have become its responsibility, such as the construction of main stadiums in Aceh and North Sumatra, as well as match equipment.
"I will immediately coordinate on what becomes the commitment of the central government. On our end, from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, there have been no issues," he said.
In addition, the central government and the National Sports Committee have also continued to coordinate with the provincial government and other stakeholders so that the national sports week can proceed according to plan in September 2024.
This would be the first time PON will be hosted in two provinces, thus extensive coordination is key for successfully holding the biggest sporting event in the country, he said.
"We are doing this as best we can because this is our first experience in conducting PON in two places. Thus, we will also learn from this experience, and the key is coordination. Implementing it in one place is not easy, not to mention in two places," he added.
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Translator: Khalis Surry, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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